It's about time

Release

Starting Jan.1st 2017 .
http://www.golfdigest.com/story/finally-a-rules-of-golf-change-we-absolutely-love?mbid=nl_120816_golfworld&CNDID16_golfworld&CNDID=17468660&spMailingID=10015848&spUserID=MTMyNjM1NjY2MTkxS0&spJobID=1060738943&spReportId=MTA2MDczODk0MwS2

When the rules were put in , they were setting the game for a fair play, because even a stroke will make the difference owing to the nature of the game. Someone had finally realized this rule contradict with the spirit of the game. It should be fair but not punishing.

mcavoy

Can we all chip in and buy Mike Davis a seat on Elon Musk's first manned rocket to Mars?. That way he can't fuck up the game anymore than he already has.

ZWExton

I dig it. Golf is hard enough, and it should stay that way, but that sort of uncontrollable act shouldn't cost the player. I cost myself plenty of strokes, I don't need the wind blowing my ball across the green and costing me an extra one.

ode

Meh.,,,should've been done long ago....never ever played by this rule.....don't know why anyone would outside of a usga event....it looks like you can call these assholes out for their bullshit and get results....they are not above reproach!

PA-PLAYA

Long overdue. Like I've said repeatedly over the past several months, the USGA is reeling from a shortfall of membership revenue dues that have occurred over the past few years.

But just when you think they're finally starting to get it, then you hear shit like this:

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/thinking-about-a-longer-driver-shaft-the-usga-could-be-shutting-the-door-on-that

For the umpteenth time, the USGA seems obsessed with regulating distance for the 1% of the most elite players playing the game. Not that I play with anyone who sports a 48" driver shaft, but still.... the USGA seems trapped in this tunnel vision that what happens on television is impacting what is happening at the local muni.

Bullshit. And the USGA can still kiss my fat, hairy ass. No soup for you, USGA maggots. Refurbish your executive offices on someone else's dime, you greedy rat bastards.

mikeintopeka

PA-PLAYA - any speculation on the drop off in the USGA membership numbers or revenue? I didn't renew for general principal last spring (after sending an email on why) but I am still a member of the Kansas Amateur Golf Assn. to help support them and scholarships.

I just checked their website and no financials or membership trends are posted, of course. I've received two mailings, and one email, from them in the past 10 days practically giving me a membership for $10. And that includes an updated US Open hat with a ball marker to wear on the bill.

What I did see is the USGA has a staff of 300. SURELY they don't have 300 on payroll? Maybe I could pull their IRS non-profit filings.

sdandrea1

A shred of common sense in the rulebook? Say it isn't so!!!! About damn time.

Release

I don't think we should change the main body of the rules, however, amendment to the original rules through the ages should be considered.
After all, golfers are looking for fairness in competition ?

PA-PLAYA

mikeintopeka

The financials are out there somewhere on the intergoogles. Of course - you need a certified CPA to break it down into understandable layman terms, as the lawyer jargon and what have you (probably intentional) make it impossible to draw any sort of hard conclusions, particularly as it relates to overhead expenses, and especially as it relates to compensations. Just trust that whatever conclusion your research might lead you to, the USGA will always maintain that revenues could be better.

Check this out, posted back in Feb 2015: http://www.golfdigest.com/story/golf-digest-50-2015-03

2012 Salaries/Compensations USGA

Dick Rugge (Former USGA Senior Director, Equipment Standards)
$1,795,452

Mike Davis (USGA Executive Director)
$772,296

David Fay (Former USGA Executive Director)
$649,564

Michael Butz (USGA Senior Managing Director - Open Championships and Association Relations)
$637,691

Fuzzy math suggest nearly $4 million doles out in compensation for 4 tenured salary positions alone.

Not suggesting that they shouldn't be compensated, but that their compensations should be somewhat commensurate with their contributions. Considering how deeply those contributions extend to the everyday amateur player - they are fucking grossly overpaid.

Period.

Fuck the flimsy US Open caps and notepads. No longer interested in helping support an organization that refuses to support me and my fellow golfers.

Period.

fnufan

Of course over 50% of golfers in the world play outside the jurisdiction of the USGA. There is another organisation called the R&A and they jointly write the rules with the USGA. Golf is booming outside the USA and until recently the UK. But even there it is on the rise again. Perhaps some should think of emigrating.

Release

PA-PLAYA
Darn.
Where di I submit my resume´

FauxAmish

Weirfan

What is MC? 🤔

Weirfan

FauxAmish
A post in the wrong thread

FauxAmish

Weirfan

Done that before ... 😎

sdandrea1

If more casual players started using 48" shafts we'd find a lot more balls in the woods. I've been going shorter every year.

Bigborgel

We play by "Old Goat" rules, that means , but not limited to, 1, roll your ball to a better lie, 2. move your ball off of roots or rocks, 3. don't go back and re-tee on a OB shot, 4. Mully on the first drive. We move along, we have fun, golf is enjoyable again, and the USGA can kiss my fat ass.

Weirfan

Bigborgel

Do you keep score?

fnufan

You play your game. Some of us will play golf

Orlimar1

fnufan

I'll bet about 2% of non professional golfers follow each and every rule to the "T." That number may be high.

I'm guessing at some courses that are backed up 2 groups deep on the tee box and you go back to hit for a lost ball or one OB where you didn't hit a provisional, it's going to get ugly.

Weirfan

Orlimar1

People are free to play by whatever rules of golf that they want to play by. Do whatever you want as long as you enjoy yourself.

BUT, unless you follow the rules of golf you cannot count a score as legitimate or contribute a score towards an index or handicap.

For the past several years I have been playing in a number of tournaments that require official handicaps to be tracked so do follow the ROG religiously. It has added a few strokes to what Previously estimated my h/c at before.
Two of my regular golfing groups , I'm the only one who does unless we are playing for money then we all do.
The only exception is at DS where we have a local , tournament rule of using the desert as either play as it lies or a point of entry hazard and not counting stroke and distance for lost ball etc.

game is hard enough, for the casual golfer who doesn't care about score , go ahead and play by whatever rules you like .

Zack

Orlimar1 What is it with you guys in North America and rules??

We play golf - i.e. the game governed by the Rules of Golf. Learn to love the best Rule: hit a provisional ball before you leave the tee or wherever you hit the last shot from. Even if there is a hazard in the general direction your ball took..

fnufan

It's a different world on that side of the pond.

Mulligan is a rude word. But Provisional is a very good word. Going back causes derision but not offence. Balls are struck, not rolled anywhere. Play it as it lies is a mantra.

Golf is a challenge, face up to it, don't duck it.

Go to the driving/practice range for an easy life.

Bigborgel

WOW! Guys how do I respond to the Brit's haughty post re "Old goats Golf"? WE are all in our 70's with surgeries, and the debilities of age, yet we manage to get out and play an age-modified form of golf that keeps us moving and not holding up others behind us. I'm happy he can play REAL golf from his perch on the high road.

sdandrea1

Bigborgel

There's lots of ways to enjoy the game. We all find our own. I respect every player's version of the rules. If I am with a group that enjoys a senior version, I'm in. If I am in a game with a USGA/RA bunch, I'm in as well. All of my league matches are USGA bound. Much of my casual play is not. I only post scores that are played by the book.

fnufan

Bigborgel

I'm well over 70. I play with a large group who average 70. We honour all the rules. Don't see any point in playing snakes and ladders and ignoring the snakes rule.